Smoochin' the Surly CEO by Madison Love Book Review

About the Book:

I’m an artist who can’t stand the limelight, and he’s a CEO who thrives on attention. We’re complete opposites forced to work together for a Valentine’s Day fundraiser, but the only way to achieve our goal is to be honest with each other.

Easier said than done.

Gabby
Despite my name, I’m shy and prefer to use art to express myself. The only time I’ve ever opened up ended with a ruined friendship and a broken heart.

Now, I hide behind an easel because I don’t want the world to see me or know the secret I’ve been keeping. If word got out, my life would irrevocably change.

After volunteering at Cornhole for a Cause, I’m required to work side-by-side with the one person I’ve been pushing away. I let him in once, but if I let him in again, then he might discover who I really am.

Tim
Gabby says I broke her heart, but I don’t know what I’ve done. Every time I try to get close, she pushes me away. It’s not until we’re both tasked with finding a world-renowned artist and find ourselves on a plane to Paris, that things begin to change.

Just when I finally think I have a shot at forgiveness, I learn that Gabby’s been keeping something from me all along. If we can’t learn to trust each other, then maybe it’s time for me to move on.

The only problem is she has my heart and won’t let go.

My Review:

This novel is much more than a good old southern Christian romance. Oh, there is a sweet romance, although it is a bit rocky. There is also some good humor. But there is also the serious issue of forgiveness for deep hurts in the past. The forgiveness concept gets even harder when there is a current betrayal of trust. Love has included an interesting exploration of anxiety too. All this happens with the context of Christian belief.

Love's writing style is great. She has wonderful characters, some quite quirky, like the colorful wig wearing Biddies. The story is a feel good one, full of people doing good for others in the small town. Love includes a good Christian faith message. There is a huge secret along the way but the reveal was not surprising. Although this is the second book in the series, it reads well on its own.

I recommend this heartwarming romance. It is a very enjoyable novel to read.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

You can read my review of an earlier Beanbag novel I read, The Beanbaggers of Cornhole County.

About the Author:

Madison Love is an Amazon Best-selling, clean, and Christian romance writer who loves to intertwine humor and suspense while adding a touch of sweetness. She has spent most of her life traveling abroad, discovering new places, and meeting wonderful people. She spent twenty years in the military before settling in a rural town outside of Buffalo, New York, where she now lives on a forty-acre farm with her husband, son, and two dogs. Having been afforded the time and opportunity to bring her ideas and stories to life, she seeks to give her readers the ‘happy ever after’ they seek, but with a dash of intrigue.

Independently published, 318 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through BookSirens. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)